IT marketing using referrals is accomplished most efficiently by involving yourself in networking organizations.  IT marketing is about knowing a lot of people and gaining their trust.  If you are active in some organizations within your niche, you can accomplish these goals.

IT Marketing:  Three Types of Business Organizations

You should not join more than one of each type of organization within the following categories, but find your best fit and stick with it.

General Business Organization

This type of organization for IT marketing includes chamber of commerce, Rotary or Kiwanis or even a group like Le Tip or BNI.  This type of IT marketing organization is not targeted by industry, rather gives you a community of other small business owners and managers.  

User Group

If you decide that you are going to be a specialist in the installation of Windows-based networks, you might look for a user group that is a Windows server group.  Similarly, if some of your staff wants to specialize in security, a security group may be best.  User groups as part of IT marketing strategies give you people with similar interests.

Targeted Business Organizations and Trade Groups

This type of IT marketing organization is where you will find your target clients.  If you are looking for businesses in the medical field, go to medical organizations.  Also determine which events are coming up, including expos and if there are newsletters for you to read.  

IT Marketing:  Be Part of a Niche

When you are using referrals for IT marketing, you need to become part of a niche to get the highest quality referrals.  Who you know is much more important than what you know in the IT business.  You are selling services that are very technical, and of course you have to have technical expertise, but your ticket in is your people skills.

IT Marketing:  Relationships

In IT marketing, relationships are key.  Even if your technical skills are just so-so, relationships is what is going to get you long-term clients and qualified partners, subcontractors and other vendors.  Personal referrals are the key to a successful IT marketing campaign, and strong relationships will get you what you need.

Added By:  Joshua Feinberg